The Impact of Family Functioning on Help-Seeking Behavior and Symptom Severity in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Poor family functioning is associated with higher symptom severity in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and delayed help-seeking behavior in other forms of psychopathology. However, little is known about the impact of family functioning on help-seeking behavior and symptom severity in ad...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of nervous and mental disease
Main Authors Swisher, Valerie S, Ricketts, Emily J, Rogers, Steven A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.2023
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Summary:Poor family functioning is associated with higher symptom severity in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and delayed help-seeking behavior in other forms of psychopathology. However, little is known about the impact of family functioning on help-seeking behavior and symptom severity in adults with OCD. The present study investigated the association between family functioning and both treatment delay and symptom severity in adults with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Participants were 194 adults who self-identified as having OCD and completed an internet survey, including measures assessing family functioning, obsessive-compulsive symptom severity, help-seeking behavior, and depression symptom severity. Poorer family functioning was associated with higher obsessive-compulsive and depression symptom severity, after controlling for significant demographic variables. With respect to domains of family functioning, poorer general functioning, problem solving, communication skills, role functioning, affective involvement, and affective responsiveness were associated with higher obsessive-compulsive and depression symptom severity, after controlling for demographics. Poorer problem solving and communication were not significantly associated with treatment delay after controlling for demographics. Findings highlight the need for family intervention within the treatment framework for adult OCD and suggest targets (e.g., communication) to be addressed.
ISSN:1539-736X
DOI:10.1097/NMD.0000000000001683